Ant
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Scientific name
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Monomorium minimum (Buckley)
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Common name
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Little black ant
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Hindi
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Chinti
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Sanskrit
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Pipilika
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Distribution
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Throughout India
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Religious association
The black ant is called Ganesha ant.
The anthill is especially sacred in rural India and dismantling one is said to bring bad luck. The anthill is called valmikah. The author of the Ramayana was Valmiki, so-called because he reappeared, after years of meditation, from an anthill. The ant is revered in other cultures also. In parts of Africa, they are messengers of the gods.
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Source: “Sacred Animals Of India” by Nanditha Krishna, (Penguin Book India, 2010)
http://ykantiques.com/2013/09/828.html